When Irish Eyes Aren’t Smiling March 17, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Irish, NYC, photography, St. Patrick's Day
7 comments
We are living through strange times because of COVID19. It is the first time NYC’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, which draws about 150,000 marchers and two million spectators, will not go on as planned in more than 250 years. It is, like most things, postponed until a later date. I salute the many zookeepers and zoo employees around the US for taking care of our amazing animal collections and facilities while this virus circulates. Stay safe and wash your hands. The photo above the title is my dog, Mr. Pepe, who is doing his best to celebrate at home.
Social Distancing in the Animal Kingdom March 15, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, COVID19, Gus the polar bear, photography, Red Panda, snow leopard, social distancing, solitary animals
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We humans are generally social creatures. Our directive to socially distance ourselves in the age of COVID19 is a challenge for many. Sometimes it brings out the best in us – and sometimes…not so much. Many other animals form similar groups, families and herds in order to protect each other, form social bonds, gather food for the group and more. Wolves, buffalo, elephants, dolphins and the great apes are all examples of animals that depend on each other and their group for survival. There are other animals that live their lives independently. These animals with an independent nature prefer traveling and living on their own. They often only find another of their kind in order to mate or to fight over territory. Here are just some of the many animals that live solitary lives. I am staying at home for the time being. I have a long list of projects that I have wanted to do and now I have a chance to do them. Stay safe and wash your hands.
Spring Forward – Fall Back March 8, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Clocks, Daylight Savings Time, NYC, photography, Photography Workshop
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It is that time of year when we spring forward our clocks and next October 31, we fall back. Here are a few tidbits about the history of Daylight Savings Time. My dear friend Mary, who was raised in Arizona, hates when we change the clocks. Only Arizona and Hawaii stick with one time all year round. Did you know both China and India have only one time zone? I don’t have an opinion about changing the clocks – I just love clocks. I have more clocks in my house than I need but I like looking at them. And by the way – I am never late. Here’s a fun article about them and the man who changes some of the clocks in NYC. FYI – there are only five spaces left in our fun before zoo hours photo session at the Central Park Zoo on April 26th – Tempus fugit!
March Comes in Like a Lion… March 1, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Lions, March come in like a lion, photography, wildlife, Zoos
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Seeing as how March 1st falls on a Sunday I could not resist the corny idea of posting photos of lions. 
Kaleidoscope of Orchids at NYBG February 23, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: flowers, Jeff Leatham, nature, NYBG, NYC, Orchids, photography
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Our yearly visit to the New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show did not disappoint. This year designer Jeff Leatham’s vision of color and form infuse the total experience. Go visit if you can. 
Valentine Tails 2020 February 16, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animal enrichment, animals, photography, Photography Workshop, Red Panda, sea lion, snow leopard, Snow Monkey, Valentine's Day, wildlife, Zoos
11 comments
Last Sunday’s photo experience at the Central Park Zoo was great. The weather was on our side and the zoo’s animal collection were ready for some Valentine treats. The animals were enriched by the different Valentine themed items placed in each of their habitats. The photographers had almost as much fun (or maybe more) as the animals. Thanks to the Central Park Zoo’s talented and creative zookeepers and managers who made this one heartfelt day.
Late Fall at Southwick’s Zoo February 9, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, photography, Southwick's Zoo, travel, vacation, zoocation
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The same fall visit that included the Roger Williams Park Zoo and the Capron Park Zoo concluded with a stop at Southwick’s Zoo. It is a 300-acre, privately owned and operated, zoological park located in Mendon, Massachusetts. It was opened in 1963, and remains family-operated. It has become a yearly stop for us and is always enjoyable. It is now closed for the season but will re-open in April. No doubt we will be back next fall. 
Late Fall at the Capron Park Zoo February 2, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: animals, Capron Park Zoo, Lions, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, river otters, travel, wildlife, zoocation, Zoos
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The same rainy, windy, grey late fall day that we visited the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence RI, we stopped in at the Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro MA. Again – I believe we were the only two visitors. Despite the weather we had a great time. We got to see two tree climbing river otters (another first for us). The zoo is eight acres but packs a lot into that space. They have three very vocal loving lions who entertained us for quite awhile. If you are in the area I encourage a visit. Last call for next Sunday’s Valentine Tails photo session at the Central Park Zoo. A very few spaces remain open. See ya then. 
Late Fall at the NY Aquarium January 26, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Brooklyn, High Line, Nathans hot dogs, NY Aquarium, photography, Photography Workshop, travel, wildlife, Zoos
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My California family visited NYC Thanksgiving week. We did lots of great fun touristy things like walking over the Brooklyn Bridge and then having Grimaldi’s pizza in Brooklyn (yum), the Thanksgiving Day parade, the High Line and the Vessel at Hudson Yards. Not to be missed was a chance to go to Coney Island for some delicious Nathan’s hot dogs and fries. While at Coney Island we also visited the NY Aquarium. We were lucky that it was not crowded and could spend more quality time with these beautiful sea creatures.It was a fabulous week.
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence RI January 19, 2020
Posted by judylobo in Zoo.Tags: Baby anteater, nature, photography, Photography Workshop, Providence RI, Roger Williams Park Zoo, travel, zoo babies, zoocation
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It was a dreary, rainy, cold late fall afternoon when we went to Rhode Island’s Roger Williams Park Zoo. We were perhaps the only two visitors that weekday, but sometimes wonderful surprises happen when you least expect them. We were treated to observing both the giant and lesser (tamandua) anteaters. The giant anteater had a baby on her back (a photo first for both of us). The zookeepers we met were delightful and open to sharing stories and photo ops for us. It was a terrific visit and I encourage you to stop in if you are going through Providence.
